Photos??

If the trampoline consumes almost half the yard, you're not going to have room to grow arborvitaes or grass with it positioned that close to the fence. The magnolia won't work well that close to the trampoline either. (What kind M. are you thinking of?) I doubt you have room for a swing set, too, unless it is very small or can go farther away from the fence. I don't think stepping stones will make a practical path. It might work better to have a wide mulch path. I'm thinking that you don't envision having grass to maintain in this small space...?? Will there be any groundcover outside of the path?

Thanks for the feedback. The magnolia I was thinking of is the Galaxy Magnolia. It doesn't grow very large. Regarding the swing, I was thinking bench swing, not a swing set. That is a big question mark brainstorm. Could be just a bench, or plantings, or anything! Currently, the entire area is covered in bark mulch, and I was planning to leave it that way, but add in a few plants that I wouldn't need to water, but that would look prettier than just bark and a fence :) . We do not want grass to mow back here - don't even have a mower anymore since we moved! The reason I was thinking about stepping stones for the path is because I'd love for the kids to be able to get to and from the trampoline barefoot without getting slivers from the bark. Pavers or pea gravel might be OK, too. Right now, the trampoline is all the way next to the deck so they step from there on. Beyond the trampoline is just plain bark with random weeds and a pile of yard debris. It is just wasted space besides the fact that the dog goes back there. We've lived here for 6 months. Other layout ideas welcome! Reminder, the key items are: trampoline for the kids, a small tree for shade (needs to not grown too high because of power lines), a compost bin, and leave some bark area for our dog's "bathroom." Thanks!!